The Ten Best Movie Trailers of 2012

The first Avengers trailer was actually garbage, but the second one? It was definitely chill-inducing. It was a perfect way to assemble all the heroes, and showed enough action so we could get a sense of the scope of the thing. The closing moments where the group is all together might be one of the most badass five second clips in trailer history.

4. Looper

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdfyI6Dr0T4

Looper took a rather complicated concept and somehow managed to make it completely understandable in a mere two minute trailer. It may have confused me about who was starring (wait, that’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt?), but damn, does it ever kick in by the end. Dubstep time travel, woo!

3. Les Miserables

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVUk-BRZVAM

I love a trailer that utilizes music well, and damn, does Les Miserables do it right. And Anne Hathaway can sing! Again, not an action film, but a gorgeously put together and scored trailer that’s everything it needs to be.

2. The Dark Knight Rises

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9TuYk

Yes, The Dark Knight Rises actually did make my list last year, but that was the FIRST trailer released for the film, this is the THIRD and in my estimation it’s leagues better. Even watching it now, it’s still goosebump-inducing, and it really gives the right impression as to the quality of the film. “Not everything, not yet.”

1. Prometheus

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0WUpsErUBA

It’s well known around this site how much I ended up hating Prometheus, but that doesn’t stop me from giving it my trailer of the year award. After years of doubting Ridley, this was the trailer that made me have faith in him again, as everything was just so jaw-dropping and intense that the movie contained within HAD to be good. Every movie is using that BWWARRR sounds with quick cuts to black these days, but Prometheus does it better than all the rest and this is a truly incredibly spot.

About The Author

Paul

I think I'm a part of the first generation of journalists to skip print media entirely, and I've learned a lot these last few years at Forbes. My work has appeared on TVOvermind, IGN, and most importantly, a segment on The Colbert Report at one point.

Matt

The trailer for man with the iron fists was really good, but I ended up despising the movie.

CrazyBlue

It’s weird, this is the first time I have seen these particular trailers. The British ones have been quite different, in comparison the US ones are borderline spoiler.

Sean Fast

I cant remember all the ones I loved throughout the last year that DIDN’T appear on this list, (the list is pretty good) but I do remember loving:

(obviously some of these ended up terrible but this is based purely on trailer)

The Great Gatsby trailer – for the music and visuals.
Cloud Atlas – for visuals and epic-feeling
Life of Pi – visuals
Cosmopolis
Dredd – for pure kickass-ness
Flight – for Rolling Stones music and that crazy upside down plane shot
Argo – music and style
Brave
John Carter

Honorable Mention goes to Gangster Squad, which yes, didn’t come out this year, BUT was supposed to if not for the Aurora shooting and was pure awesomeness in terms of action, editing, and music choice

Kienan

Holy smokes did you see the new Man of Steel trailer before The Hobbit? Which trailer are you going to knock out of your list for that one?